UP Rare Bird Report for January 7, 2007

[theowlranch@aol.com]

UP Rare Bird Report for January 7, 2007
 
 
Happy New Year! 
2007 is barely out of the starting gate and already the list of rarities in the UP is simply amazing (and reads more like a spring day in the Rockies rather then January in northern Michigan!). Snow cover is still surprisingly absent from most of the peninsula, and a lack of ice has allowed for many species of waterbirds to remain. Reports of Lesser Scaup, Black & White-winged Scoters, Common Loons, and Red-necked Grebes have all been received in the last week. 
I would like to thank everyone who submitted their sightings this last year and I hope you all continue to do so. I would like to encourage anyone who observes a bird that is a review species for the Michigan Bird Records Committee to submit documentation of their sighting. A list of review species can be found at this link http://www.michiganaudubon.org/mbrc/review.html. All review species mentioned in this report are in bold blackface. I would also like to thank Jim Lesser and Melinda Stamp for hosting the Mich-listers and UP Birdnet email list serves, and again to Melinda for setting up www.UPBirders.org and the excellent Grovestreet Photo Album. As a local birder I know is fond of saying, good luck getting some good ones!
 
 
Highlights
 
WESTERN GREBE
AECHMORPHUS GREBE species
AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER
BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE
WESTERN TANAGER
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW
Snowy Owl
Black-backed Woodpecker
Boreal Chickadee
Townsend’s Solitaire
Bohemian Waxwing
Hoary Redpoll
 
 
Ontonagon County
The EURASIAN TREE SPARROW is still coming to the feeders of Kitt Wolf as of January 6th in Topaz. Kitt asks that any birders that want to see this bird to call first at 906-575-3367 to make arrangements.
                   
Keweenaw County
The highlight of the Eagle River CBC on December 30th was a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE found near Lac la Belle by Zach Gayk. The Magpie was most recently reported on the 6th. Other notable finds include an AECHMORPHUS-type GREBE in Copper Harbor, 2 TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRES, and 4 BLACK-BACKED WOOPECKERS. Joe Youngman reported a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER from the Keystone Bay burn on December 24th. 
 
Baraga County
The GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH continues to be seen in L’Anse as of January 6th. 
 
Marquette County
Bruce Ventura found a WESTERN GREBE in the Upper Harbor of the City of Marquette on the 30th. The GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continues to remain in Marquette for another week. Kirk Zulfelt found a male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER and a HOARY REDPOLL in the Peshekee Grade on the 29th.  Scot Stewart reported a HOARY REDPOLL in the Peshekee on the 30th. 11 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at the Tourville West Apartments on the 25th. Brian Johnson reported a HOARY REDPOLL and a pair of BOREAL CHICKADEES along Kate’s Grade southwest of Gwinn on the 6th. Brian also reported that the highlights from the Gwinn CBC on the 2nd included 2 GRAY JAYS, 3 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 1 NORTHERN CARDINAL (locally rare and a count 1st record), and high counts of several finch species including RED & WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS.
 
Alger County
Scott Hickman found a male AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER south of Munising at the intersection of the AuTrain Camp Road and Forest Road 2579 southwest of Munising 1.8 miles north of M-94 on December 28th. A WESTERN TANAGER is coming to the home of Dave Kronk in Munising. The bird was first seen on January 6th and was seen again on the 7th. To get to Dave’s house turn on to West Shore Drive off of M-28 on the west side of Munising and go about 200 meters to Dave’s home, address E-9096. Amanda Ingraham found 4 TRUMPETER SWANS in Miners Lake in the Pictured Rocks Nat. Lakeshore on the 6th. 
 
Schoolcraft County
Tony Block reported 2 TRUMPETER SWANS on Indian Lake on the 6th.
 
Luce County
Rick Baetsen reported GRAY JAYS, BOREAL CHICKADEES, 2 SPRUCE GROUSE, and 3 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS in the Pike/Swamp Lakes area on January 3rd. 
 
Chippewa County
Up to 4 SNOWY OWLS continue to be seen along Centerline Road north of M-48 in Rudyard. Rick Baetsen reported 4 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS and RED CROSSBILLS in a clear-cut along M-28 and Forest Road 3139 on the 3rd. Rick also had 2 BOREAL CHICKADEES along the Emerson Trail in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Jim Dawe reported a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in Rudyard and a GLAUCOUS GULL at the Dafter Dump on the 2nd.
 
 
To report rare birds please email me at TheOwlRanch at aol.com or to Birdnet at UPBirders.org if you are a subscriber. If you are not on the net, call the Marquette Hotline at (906) 225-3886. For more information on Birdnet, or UP birds, please visit www.UPBirders.org
 
Till next time,
 
~Skye Haas
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